Panic lock



Jan. 13, 1953 o. M. sli-:VERT 2,625,413

f PANIC Loox Filed June s, 195o 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 Zsnnentor @dem M :5m/enf Gtornegs Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAC LookY oscar M. sirven', Detroit, Mieh.,assi'gnor to Parrhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, Kansas City, Mofa a; corporation of Delaware application juries, 1950, serial Nb. isais' invention relates to lcksflf'or doors, g'a-tes andthe like and more particularly to a lock preventing entry through a gate or the like into an enclosed area and adapted for quick release irom inside'the enclosure for escape of persons therefrom'.

Many'v industrial premises are surrounded by a fence or the like to keep out unauthorized persons. This is particularly true where the nature of' the industry is` hazardous. Since it is difficult to patrol alll of the fenced in area it is common practice tol provide relatively few gates through whichL persons may pass from the enclosure; While'few gates are helpful in preventing entry of unauthorized persons, the hazard to the employees is greater because inthe event of explosions, iires or other disaster, the workmen tend to become panic stricken and the inability to lget through thev fence results in loss of life o1" severe injuries. It isv desirable to havel a plurality of avenuesA of escape for persons inside the enclosvure'toy reduce the time and distance necessary for their escape. It is also desirable that such avenues of escape be constructed whereby they prevent access from outside the enclosure butAv do not retard or delay the escapeA of persons fromv inside the enclosure. Y

The objects of the' presentrinvention are to provide' a lock for a gate and the like which prevents* access to an enclosure from the outside and is quickly releasable from inside the enclosure; to provide an' elongated lock actuator andA housing extending a substantial dista-nce inside' of' thel enclosure whereby' the actuating mechanism cannot be reached or' manipulated from outside the enclosure; to provide a lock actuating mechanism whichl is'4 resiliently urged toward locking posi-tion and a push rod for releasing the lock as a person moves toward the gate; to provide means for latching the locking mechanism in released position; to provide a pivoted lock member and reciprocating actuator with cooperating cam surfaces for retainingV the pivoted lock member in locking position; to providefor enclosing the operating members of the lock toi prevent weather such.V as rain, sleet, and icefrom interfering with` operation of the lock;

'and' to: provide a lockstructure which is'- economical to manufacture in a sturdy, positively operating'v lock that prevents unauthorized entry intoenclosed premises yet is easily and quickly operated to release the lock and latch same in released position by per-'sons inside the enclosure during and Without retarding' the movementA of the personL towardl andi through the gate.-4

yIn accomplishing' these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofA which are illustratedv in the accompanying draw-ings; wherein:

v Fig. 1 isa perspective View of a lock embodying the features of the present invention mounted in a fence for retaining agate therein inclosed position.

Fig. 2I is a perspectivel view of the lock' mechanisrn with portions broken away to illustrate the structure thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View through the lock-on the line 3`-3, Fig'. fi.r

Fig. e is a longitudinal sectional view through the lock mounted in a gate'post, the operating members of said lock being shown in: locking position.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the lock with the parts thereof shown in? lock releasing position.

YFig'. 6 is a plan view of the lock particularly illustrating they location of the lock operating knob relative to thev gate.

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional View through the push rod and housing on the line "I-'E', Fig". fl.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates al panic lock embodying' the features ofV4 the present invention adapted to be mounted on or otherwise suitably securedv tov a post 2 or other member adjacent an openingl 3 in a fence or other enclosing ineansl for selectively locking a gate, door or other device in position for closing the opening 3.l The gate illustratedl is suitably mounted as at V on a post 'l' or the likev at the other side of the opening. 3 whereby the gate 5 may bel swung outwardly relative to the area enclosed for movementv of persons through thev opening 3.

The gate 5 is preferably provided with ay rod 8 or other suitable stop member arranged for engagement with the post 2, to limit the swinging movement of the gate whereby the gate may be swungv outwardly only when the lock` II isl posi'- tioned for releasing the gate for swinging movement. The lock I consists of an elongated tubularmember or housing 9 having a closed end I0 andan open end II.l The tubular member 9' is suitably mounted on the post 2- as, for example, said tube extends through apertures. I2 in a tubular metal post and is secured thereto by welding as at I3 with the closed end I0 exteriorly of the area enclosed by the fenced, and the open end I I extending a considerable distance inwardly of the area-ffrom the post 2 whereby it cannot be reached by any one on the outside of the fence.

The tubular member 9 has laterally spaced, depending anges I4 and i5 on each side of a slot I6 preferably opening into the bottom of the tubular member 9 adjacent the post 2 on the outside of the enclosure. The flanges I4 and l5 are provided with apertures l1 for mounting a pin I3 that extends through a bore I9 of a lock member 20 to pivotally mount sam-e for swingingr movement toward and away from the outside of the post 2. The lock member 20 extends downwardly from the flanges i4 and l5 into the path of the rod 8 whereby if the lock member 29 is held in a vertical position with the rod 8 between the member 29 and the post 2, the gate 5 is held in closed position and when the lock member 20 is freed for swinging movement the gate may be pushed outwardly and the rod 8 cause the lock member to swing outwardly and upwardly, permitting the rod 8 to pass thereunder and the gate to open.

The upper portion of the lock member 20 extends through the slot i6 into the tubular member 9, and has a tapered upper end or cam surface 2l which substantially corresponds to the slope or cam surface 22 on a lock control member or plunger 23 that is slidably mounted in the tubular member 9. The lock control member 23 is longer than the slot I6 whereby said lock member has bearing contact in the tubular member on each end of the slot, the lower part of the lock control member 23 being cut away to provide the sloping surface 22 which slopes from adjacent the end 25 of the lock control member upwardly toward the post 2. The end 24 of the lock member is spaced from the closed end I9 of the tube 9 with a spring 25 located therebetween and arranged to exert force on the lock control member tending to move same toward the open end of the tubular member 9, such movement effecting engagement of the sloping or cam surface 22 with the sloping or cam end 2| of the lock member, as illustrated in Fig. 4, whereby such engagement will prevent swinging movement of the lock member 29.

The lock control member 23 is provided with an extension 29 preferably in the form of a rod having a rectangular cross-section rigidly secured to the lock control member as at 21 and extending longitudinally of the tubular member 9. The extension 26 extends through a slot 28 in a. cap member 29 suitably mounted on the open end of the tubular member 9 for closing same. The cap is illustrated as being screwed onto the threaded end of the tubular member with the cap and threaded end of said tubular member being provided with aligned apertures 39 and 3i for receiving the threaded shank 32 of a fastening device, such .as a screw, which is threaded into the aperture 3l for retaining the cap on the tubular member 9 in such a position as to align the slot 28 with the lock control member extension 29. Lugs 33 are mounted on and extend laterally of the extension 29 and are located for substantially engaging the interior surface of the cap 29 when the sloping or cam surface 212 of the lock control member 23 engages the sloping or cam surface 2| on the upper end of the lock member 29 for retaining said lock member 29 in locked position, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

When the lock control member 23 is in locking position an aperture 3l! in the extension 25 is positioned immediately exteriorly of the cap 29 for receiving a suitable locking device for retaining the ,102k Control member and lock member in gate locking position and preventing opening of said gate. The lock control member extension 26 extends through the slot 28 and has a portion extending beyond the cap 29 and on the terminal end of said portion is suitably mounted a knob 35 preferably having a resilient cushion covering 36, said knob being arranged to be pushed by the hand of a person inside of the enclosure for moving the extension 26 and lock control member 23 toward the closed end of the tubular member 9 to release the locking member 2D for swinging movement whereby the gate 5 may be swung open to permit escape of the person inside of the enclosure. Also the extension adjacent the knob 35 is reduced in size to provide a shoulder 31 which is located exteriorly of the cap 29 when the lock control member 23 engages the lock member 20 to retain same in locking posi-tion, said shoulder being positioned inside of the tubular member 9 for engagement with the cap member 29 when the lock control member 23 is in lock member releasing position as illustrated in Fig. 5, the relative size of the lock control member 23 and bore of the tubular member 9 being such as to permit vertical movement of the extension 26 whereby the shoulder 31 engages the portion of the cap immediately under the slot 28 to retain the lock control member 23 in released position.

A sleeve 38, of rubber or other flexible material, has one end secured over the cap 29 and the other end secured around the extension adjacent the knob 35. This sleeve provides a covering to keep out rain, sleet and the like, thereby preventing weather conditions from interfering with the operation of the panic lock.

In operating a panic lock assembled and mounted as described, the knob 35 is ypushed to move the extension 2E inwardly and downwardly relative to the tubular member 9, thereby moving the lock control member 23 toward the closed end of the tubular member 9 until the shoulder 31 is interiorly of the tubular member and engages the cap 29, retaining the lock -control member 23 in locked member releasing position. The lock member 2U is then swung outwardly and upwardly whereby the gate 5 may be swung to closed position with the rod 8 engaging the post 2. The lock member 29 is then released and the weight of the lower portion of same will cause it to swing downwardly and inwardly to substantially engage the rod 8 with said rod between the lock member and the post 2. The knob 35 is then lifted to release the shoulder 31 from engagement with the cap 29. The pressure'of the spring 25 acting on the lock control member 23 then moves the extension 26 through the slot 28 and effects engagement with the sloping or cam surface 22 with the sloping or cam end 2l of the lock member 29 to securely retain said lock member in locking position as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this position of the lock control member, the lugs 33 substantially engage the cap member 29. Said lugs only serve to limit the movement of the lock control member 23 toward the cap 29 in the event the locking member 29 is held in gate releasing position when the shoulder 31 is released from engagement with the cap 29, as the engagement of the lock control member and locking member, when in normal position, will limit the rearward movement of the lock control member 23.

With the locking members in the position shown in Fig. 4, with the rod 8 between the locking member 20 and post 2, the gate 5 is retained in closed position and due to the long length of the tubular member 9, it is substantially impossible for ranyone on the outside of lthe enclosure to release said lock. Therefore the lock serves to prevent unauthorized entr-ance into the enclosure and eliminates the necessity of guards continually patrolling that portion of the enclosure.

In the event of nre or other disaster, persons inside of the enclosure may run toward the gate and during their movement push forwardly and downwardly on the knob 35, moving the lock control member 23 and extension 26 toward the closed end of the tubular member 9 until the shoulder 3l in the extension 23 engages the interior of the cap 29 immediately below the slot 28. Engagement of the shoulder and cap retains the lock control member 23 in lock member releasing position and the person inside of the enclosure may continue his forward movement, push on the gate and swing same outwardly, the rod 8 swinging the lock member 20 outwardly and upwardly to release said gate so it may open. The gate will remain in released position until such time as it is desired to again lock same in closed position. In the event it is desired to prevent any use of the gate 5, the sleeve |38 may be removed and a padlock or other suitable device inserted through the aperture 34 of the extension 26 to prevent movement of said extension and lock control member to retain the gate closed Yat all times.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a panic lock which is economical to manufacture, of sturdy construction that will perform eiiciently to retain a gate in closed position and prevent unauthorized entrance therethrough, but also is easily and quickly operated from inside the enclosure to permit escape of persons from within the enclosure in the event of fire, explosion or other disaster.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a lock for an emergency outwardly swinging gate hinged on one of a pair of spaced posts 1 dening an exit opening in a fence and adapted Vtoengage the other post for closing said exit opening, an elongated tubular member having one end closed and supported in said other post at one side of the exit opening with the closed end exteriorly of said other fence post and the other end extending a substantial distance into the fenced area beyond the reach of a person outside the fence, said tubular member having an opening adjacent and exteriorly of said other fence post, a lock member mounted on the tubular member for swinging movement toward and away from said other fence post whereby a portion of the gate may be positioned between the lock member and said other fence post, said lock member depending from the tubular member and having a portion which enters the opening in the tubular member when the lock member swings toward the fence post, a plunger slidably mounted in the tubular member over the opening therein,

said plunger and the portion of the lock member l extending into the opening of the tubular member having cooperating cam surfaces for effecting locking engagement retaining the lock member against swinging movement, means on the plunger extending from said other end of the tubular member and accessible for moving the plunger toward the fence post as the person operating same is traveling toward the gate to disengage the cam surfaces of the plunger and lock member for releasing said lock member for free swinging movement, means on the extending means engageable with the tubular member for retaining the plunger in cam surface disengaged position whereby the person operating same may continue on and swing the gate to open position for escape to the outside of the fence, and resilient means between the plunger and closed end of the tubular member for urging the plunger toward the cam surface engaging position.

OSCAR M. SIEVERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 512,593 Webster et al Jan. 9, 1894 573,255 Benedict Deo. 11, 1896 859,499 Hunt July 9, 1907 1,203,116 Hurd Oct. 31, 1916 1,677,271 Carroll July 17, 1928 2,003,083 Keller May 28, 1935 2,350,092 Bock May 30, 1944 

